Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-01-29
a Ship Blown 10 Atoms in San Francisco
Harbcr.

san FRANCISCO, Jan. 17.-At midnight last
night the Merchants exchange received o tel
cph"ne from tie Point Lobas signal station
that the schooner Parallel had been driven OF
the rocks near the Golden Gate and would
probably prove a total loss. An hour later
another message was received that an immense
quantity Of gitut powder aboard he'd blown
MP, destroying the Cliff house aud other build
ings on shore in the neighborhoCd. Reporters
and police officers were hurrledly dispatched
% the scene OF the disaster. The following
particulars have been obtained The Parallel
sailed Friday last with a cargo Of general
merchandise for Astoria, Oregon. She
proceeded north until compelled by
strong head winds to return,
and reached the entrance to the Golden Gate
yesterday evening. The wind had died out
and being caught by a strong tide the vessel
was swept ashore at the south end Of Point
Labas, inside the famous seal rocks opposite
the Clitf house. Life station people near by
were promptly notified and fastened TO the
scene OF the wreck. The captain and all
hands aboard had taken 10 the boats, hut as It
was impossible for them to make a landing on
the heavy surf running, they stood away for
the entrance Of the harbor. After being
abandoned the vessel drifted south into a
small cove, where she pounded against the
rocks, and AT midnight was rapidly breaking
up. 1t was known she had n large quantity
OF powder aboard, but no danger
was apprehcnded. The men from
the life-saving station, seeing that nothing
could bc done, and knowing that the schooner
had been abandoned by the officers and crew,
withdrew a few minutes before 1 O'Clock from
the scene. They had hardly reached the sta
ton building when a fearful explosion oc-
Cured, scattering destruction on all sides.
The schooner in bearing against the rock, had
caused the powder to ignite, and the entire
quantity ~aboard-nearly 100000 pounds-had
exploded. To those living IN the neighbor-
hood the effect was frightful. The signal sta
tion was completely demolished. The life
saving station was also wrecked ana the west
side Of the Clin house, Notwithstanding It's
elevation, was blown out and every window
pane in the building broken. A large concert
room on the beach and other buildings lower
down had all their windows broken and other
wise more or less damaged. A long
carriage shed adjoining the Gin house
was .umbled into a mass Of ruins, Adolph
Sutros' conservatory on the heights above
was shattered 20 atoms and all the windows
n his house broken. Three members of the
lie saving crew, who built wire on the beach
nd decided 10 remain near the wreck, were
hurled in the air 10y the conclusion and Sc
yerely injured In being again dashed TO the
earth. The remaining members Of the crew,
who had returned TO the station, rushed TO
the rescue Of the injured, as it was feared that
their close proximity to the explosion must
have resulted TO their INJURY. They carried
them TO the station, where medical attention
was summoned and everything necessary to
relieve their injuries was done. One Of them,
Horace Smith, had his limbs SO frightfnlly
disjointed as to make his suiIerings intense.
For a time his life was despaired Of. The two
Charles Rogers and John Wilson, es-
less seriously.
Captain Hoysleep, in command Of the life.
station, describes the explosion as fol
cat 1 one O'Clock ~sleepers were
thrown from their beds 10y a great explosion,
which made them think that a great earth
quake had uphoaved the cliff or tidal waves
swept up from the Pacific. A great wave
dashed up and vaulted over the Cliff house
building. The whole shore and cliff literally
tremblcd and shook as no earthquake has
shaken the earth for years. People were
rudely thrown from their beds by the force Of
the explosion. Furniture and bedsteads were
and heaped around the ROOM
The famous Cliff housr %resents a scene
bcggaring description. Tie vest side Of the
building overlooking tho Ocean is completely
only held togethtr ~ cross beams.
The windows were smashed, doors twisted off, |.
and hinges left in such a shattered condition
that it viii have to take down what Is left OF
Il, even Il it does not topple over into the
ocean.